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Another book

A book I recently got on my kindle and I would like to really recommand is the Esesential Dogen by Peter Levitt and Kaz Tanahashi. Yeap this is not the whole thing, just a bunch of extracts, quotes and bibs and bobs from the old Dogen, a reader s digest kind of version, but truly interesting if:

You want to be introduced to Dogen in a gentle and easy going way,
You are interested in the readers ' choices, what these guys have picked up is inspiring to say the least,
You have a few bucks to spend,
You would like to read the very interesting foreword of P. Levitt,
And that's it really.

A snowy heron
on the snow field
where winter grass is unseen
hides itself
in its own figure

...from THE ESSENTIAL DOGEN...

Last edited by Ed; 08-09-2013 at 05:29 PM.

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa

The chapter titled THE ROBE is such a heartfelt reading: Dogen, in China sees for the first time ever the monks reciting the verse of the okesa before puting it on. Surprised at its simplicity, he cries at the beauty of the moment, such a short time, to put the kesa or rakus on.
Dogen is moved to tears of joy, and also regret at the same time, that no one had told him before of this wonderful, living tradition bringing to the moment the entire transmission of realization from Shakyamuni on to him.
Tanahashi's translation is wonderfully alive. short, pithy and powerful.
gassho.

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa

I'd like to add that if someone were to approach me and ask what books would be most important to start them on Dogen's way, I'd say this new book by Tanahashi/Levitt, Opening The Hand of Thought, and Realizing Genjokoan by Okumura.

Uchiyama Roshi

Originally Posted by acss1

I'd like to add that if someone were to approach me and ask what books would be most important to start them on Dogen's way, I'd say this new book by Tanahashi/Levitt, Opening The Hand of Thought, and Realizing Genjokoan by Okumura.

Amen.
Both titles above are solid practice material. I would add, as I have said before here, COMMENTARY ON GENJOKOAN edited by several teachers including Okamura Roshi. The last commentary is Uchiyama Roshi's and it is a master's grand piece (IMHO): what patience and compassion he shows for posterity in sharing these teachings so clearly. He does it as well in OPENING THE HAND OF THOUGHT.

REALISING is already a classic rounded up nicely by LIVING BY VOW. Okamura's nex book is on the Precepts and it shows this teacher's commitment to leaving a solid record of his experience, knowledge and passion for Dogen Zenji and Zen Buddhism and his dedication to teaching in the West.

What these teacher's have in common is a regard for zazen as the pivot point of Dogen's practice, with studies and ceremony important but zazen, it seems to me, central. Okamura was, as some may already know, Uchiyama Roshi's deciple.

In gassho.

Last edited by Ed; 09-03-2013 at 12:48 PM.
Reason: Okamur and Uchiyama's relation

"Know that the practice of zazen is the complete path of buddha-dharma and nothing can be compared to it....it is not the practice of one or two buddhas but all the buddha ancestors practice this way."
Dogen zenji in Bendowa